Discernment & Obedience

You’re Invited: Tune in to Anchored in Grace

What if the key to peace in your life… and unity in your relationships… came down to two things: hearing God clearly and following Him faithfully?

Join us—Eric & Sharris—on this powerful episode of Anchored in Grace as we dive into:

✨ What true obedience looks like in everyday life
✨ How to discern God’s voice in the middle of noise and emotion
✨ How obedience and discernment can transform your marriage and decisions
✨ Practical steps you can apply immediately

This episode is especially meaningful as we reflect on Resurrection season, where Jesus modeled perfect obedience for us all.

📖 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…” — Proverbs 3:5–6

If you’ve been feeling stuck, uncertain, or simply wanting to grow deeper in your walk with God—this conversation is for you.

🎧 Take a moment. Press play. Invite God into your next step.

And don’t keep it to yourself—share this with someone who needs encouragement today.

👉 Listen now and stay anchored in what truly matters.

“Anchored in Grace — where faith is strengthened, hope is restored, and lives are rooted in Christ.”

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Welcome back to Anchored in Grace, where we navigate life, faith, and relationships through the truth of God's word. I'm Eric.

SPEAKER_00 0:11

And I'm Charis. We are so glad you are joining us today. This episode is going to speak directly to your marriage, your decision making, and your walk with Christ.

SPEAKER_01 0:22

Amen to that. Today we're talking about two powerful principles, obedience and discernment, and how they can shape a Christ-centered marriage.

SPEAKER_00 0:35

All right. So I am going to open us up in prayer this time. And I'm going to just say, Heavenly Father, we thank you for this moment and for every couple listening today. We invite your presence into this conversation today, God. Lord, give us wisdom, clarity, and understanding as we speak on obedience and discernment. Help every listener hear your voice clearly and have the courage to follow you faithfully. Strengthen marriages, restore unity, and be the foundation of every relationship represented today. Be with their families as well. We give you all the glory. In Jesus' name we pray.

SPEAKER_01 1:19

Amen. Amen. Amen, Charis. And we want to start this off by saying happy resurrection weekend. Yes. And you know, not only can discernment and um obedience shape a Christ-centered marriage, it can also shape your personal walk with Christ. Because I know we have listeners who are not married and hope to be married one day. That's right. And this podcast is for everyone. We always want people to understand that and know that we talk about marriage because marriage is near and dear to us. And this topic of obedience and discernment ties directly into what we're celebrating during Resurrection Weekend. You know, if Jesus had not walked in complete obedience and discernment to honor the Father, we wouldn't have this free gift of eternal life, you know, and grace that we have today. Man, I thank God for that every day. And when we bring this into our marriage, it becomes even more powerful. Scripture tells us that Jesus is the bridegroom and the church is his bride. He gave everything, he sacrificed it all for his bride. That is the very example we are called to follow in our marriages every single day.

SPEAKER_03 2:54

Every day.

SPEAKER_01 2:56

That's why this season means so much to Sharif and I. It's not just a holiday, it's a remember, a reminder, sorry, a reminder of the foundation of our marriage. And that's sacrifice, obedience, and being fully led by God. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, and all your ways submit to him, and he will make your path straight.

SPEAKER_03 3:28

Amen.

SPEAKER_01 3:29

And that's one of our favorite scriptures, Proverbs 3, verses 5 and 6.

SPEAKER_00 3:34

That's great. I love that.

SPEAKER_01 3:36

Amen.

SPEAKER_00 3:37

You are so right, though, you know, just this is that sacrificial weekend, you know, that we really have to. It's not just about, you know, the fun things, the dresses, the baskets, all those things. It's about God's sacrifice that He sacrificed it all for us.

SPEAKER_01 3:57

Amen.

SPEAKER_00 3:58

That is so special. That's a gift every single day that we have. So just remember that. So we want to go ahead and get started in our first segment, which is setting the foundation. Um, and the first scripture I'm gonna read is it says, My sheep listen to my voice, I know them and they follow me. John 10 and 27. And then the second one will be do not be yoked together with unbelievers. 2 Corinthians 6 and 14. So uh we're gonna start with discernment, and this is the ability to recognize God's voice, his direction, and his will. Obedience is the action we take once we've received that direction.

SPEAKER_01 4:48

Amen. That's really good, Chariz. And in marriage, both are critical, right? You can't just act, you need to know what God is saying to you. And you can't just hear, you actually have to follow through. And you know, we've all have heard that voice where you know we have that inkling of like hearing God to tell you to do something sometimes, and you just kind of like, hmm, God, are you talking to me?

SPEAKER_03 5:16

Right.

SPEAKER_01 5:17

You know, it's really important to learn discernment because when you have discernment, you are learning to be familiar with God's voice. And it's so important that you learn what God's voice sounds like so you can act in obedience.

SPEAKER_00 5:32

Amen. That's good. So exactly, you know, a lot of marriages struggle because one or both spouses are either moving without seeking God or hearing from God, but not willing to obey. Amen. And so that is an example of not being equally yoked. That's right.

SPEAKER_01 5:53

That's right.

SPEAKER_00 5:53

And it's very important. Sometimes, you know, you're in a relationship or you're in a marriage or soon-to-be marriage, and you're trying to figure out why you can't get on the same path. But that is something, you know, you really have to think about um and pray about and discern, you know, God is this, is is this what you have for me? Because God will definitely tell you, you know, if you ask. And um, but if you can't get in line, you're not equally yoked. Amen. And that's you know, for the long haul, it's very important to be equally yoked with your with your partner.

SPEAKER_01 6:28

Amen. Yeah, you literally want to invite God into all your decision making.

SPEAKER_03 6:34

Amen. That's you know, true.

SPEAKER_01 6:35

He has to, whether you're a man or a woman, you need to make sure that he is involved. That's right. You know, just don't jump into a relationship without knowing that God wants you to be in that relationship. That's right. You we have to run everything through God, honor God with every aspect of our lives. And when we do that, we're gonna have better foundations and better beginnings and better overall flow to your relationship, right? Amen. So going into segment two, obedience in marriage. Um, if you love me, keep my commands. That's John 14 and 15. And another favorite from James 1 and 22 be doers of the word and not hearers only. That's really important, you know, because a lot of times we learn the word, but we don't put it into action. And that's a call to action verse, right, Charles? That is, you know. So let's talk about obedience first. Obedience in marriage isn't just about big decisions, it's the everyday moment. So everyday, like I said a few moments ago, you want to invite God in.

SPEAKER_00 7:56

That's right.

SPEAKER_01 7:56

Into every aspect of what you're doing, all things, right?

SPEAKER_00 8:01

So, you know, it's also choosing patience when you're frustrated. We all get frustrated, right? It's also choosing forgiveness when you feel hurt, and we all have felt hurt. And it's also choosing to love when it's not easy, and we know that it's not it's definitely not easy, right?

SPEAKER_01 8:24

So, yeah, you're right. And I just have to say, I appreciate this woman for being patient with me because God knows she has to be patient with me. I have had my moments, but she always loves me, and she loves me through the moments, you know, my hard-headedness, my not listening.

SPEAKER_03 8:46

So funny.

SPEAKER_01 8:47

I'm I'm a I'm a normal man, right? But she loves me through it and allows me to grow. And I love that, and I appreciate you, honey, for that.

SPEAKER_00 8:56

You're so sweet. I love you for that. Hey, it's real though.

SPEAKER_01 8:59

You helped me be better.

SPEAKER_00 9:00

Hey, you helped me be better, you helped me grow, you helped me be mindful in my decisions, you know, and that's that discernment, and that's you know, you knowing me as your spouse, right? Saying, Let's pray about this first, let's join hands together, let's let's fast on this before we make this big decision, right? Because it's important and we have to be equally yoked. So on the same page, yes, you know, that's right.

SPEAKER_01 9:27

And sometimes obedience doesn't make sense in the moment, right? We've had those talks, you know, big decision Shards and I are talking about. God gives me something, and Shards may be looking at me like, and I say, baby, pray about it, you know, pray about it and see what God tells you. Because God may call you to respond with grace um when your flesh wants to react. Because sometimes we can be in decision situations where you know certain things are being said, right? Certain things are being done, and you know, our response is everything. We always have to be remembering God's grace and his mercies in our responses because God is Christ has given us grace and mercy. We have to give grace and mercy, yeah. You know, and that's a part of the gift. He gave us this beautiful gift, but we also have to be givers of that gift back to one another, you know, in everything we do.

SPEAKER_00 10:30

That's really good. And that this is um, I was gonna say that's you know where trust comes in too, right? And obedience is saying, God, I trust your way more than my feelings. Amen. Right? Because we can definitely be in our feelings, but I have to before I feel a certain way, because we all have feelings, because we're human, but I need to say, God, I trust your way, not my way. Amen. Because I might have a different way of thinking, Eric might have a different way of thinking, you may have a different way of thinking, right? But it's so important that we just say, God, I trust you.

SPEAKER_01 11:06

Amen. Amen to that.

SPEAKER_00 11:09

And that's that's that that's trust, you got it, and obedience. That's that's a whole part of obedience, amen.

SPEAKER_01 11:19

So now we're going to 1 Thessalonians 5 and 21, and we're talking about discernment and marriage. Test everything, hold fast what is good. Amen. And then Hebrews 4 and 12. For the word of God is alive and active, it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Amen. And it definitely does. That's Hebrews 4 and 12 again. And you know, our hearts, our posture of our heart, God knows it. You know, He He He feels it. That's why it's important for us to do that daily check of where is our what is the the current status of our heart.

SPEAKER_00 12:02

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 12:02

You know, what mode and moment are we in?

SPEAKER_00 12:06

Heart posture, right?

SPEAKER_01 12:07

Heart posture. Yeah. It's very important. Um, so now let's talk about discernment. Um, this is huge because not every voice, feeling, or opportunity is from God. And this is something me and Shars have really been kind of focusing on with like thoughts, you know. Yeah, you know, 2 Corinthians um 10 and 5. I love that scripture because it talks about you know disarming bad thoughts and submitting them to Christ, right? Taking every thought captive, taking every thought captive, yeah, because every thought does not come from God, and every thought that comes to your mind does not belong to you, so you have to know when to reject them.

SPEAKER_03 12:52

That's right.

SPEAKER_01 12:53

You know, that's so good. Very important. This is huge because, like I said, not every voice, feeling, or opportunity is from God. Let that kind of ring in your head and remember that.

SPEAKER_00 13:06

Yeah, that's really good. So also discernment helps you recognize when something is a distraction, just like what you were just saying, you know, and also when something is a test, right? And or when is it truly God leading you forward? Because we can get so distracted, and I want, I want, I want, or I just this is what I'm seeing because it's it's kind of like um, you know, when you buy a car, you know, and you buy this red car, it's a sports car, let's just say that. And you haven't really seen it before, but now you have purchased it and you own it, and now you have it, and now that's all you can see. Or maybe you're thinking about buying it or something like that, right? Let's flip it. You're thinking about buying it, and now that's all you can see. So you feel like, God, you led me. God, this is that. But in that whole thing, you know, did I say, God, what do you have for me? Because God might have something else for you, you know, He might have you a black truck or something else, right? Of different modes of uh transportation. But um, to say that is be led by God, you know, and pray about it because that God needs to lead it. Because when you don't, what happens, Eric, usually? Disruptions, craziness, yeah, and it does, and you have to do it over again, yeah, right? You're gonna have to, it's that test, right? Of doing that trial all over again. So that's true. Trust God in the process and pray about everything.

SPEAKER_01 14:48

Yeah, that's really good, babe. And you know, discernment, you know, Shirus and I have had to use discernment to really protect our marriage because there's so when it there's so many outside voices, um, there are so many things out there that try to distract you, that bring division, stress, misalignment, you know, and it's very important for couples to be able to see these things, discern the spirit, where that spirit's coming from, so that you can protect your marriage with prayer, protect your marriage with fasting and the Holy Spirit, you know, because if you don't do that, you will always have something because the the enemy doesn't stop, he always is gonna come at you. But if you are protected by Christ and you are doing the things prayer, praise, prayer, um, prayer, praise, and worship worship, fasting, those things. If you are putting those things into your regimen in your life, you're gonna be able to walk through these things that will come your way. You know, that's really important.

SPEAKER_00 16:12

So, and also it also helps you understand your spouse better. Um, sometimes discernment isn't just about decisions, it's also about recognizing what your spouse needs spiritually and emotionally.

SPEAKER_01 16:26

That's good. That's really good. I I like that a lot because I tell you, using your earthly ears versus using your spiritual ears and eyes.

SPEAKER_03 16:41

Yeah, it does.

SPEAKER_01 16:43

The Holy Spirit gives you a discernment to be able to look at your spouse in a different way, versus using the earthly ears and the earthly influences. The earthly influences is gonna take you down a really bad road sometimes, yeah, and most times. Um and but spiritually, when God is leading you, God is never gonna lead you astray or off the path that you're meant to be on.

SPEAKER_03 17:09

That's right, you know, amen.

SPEAKER_01 17:12

Amen.

SPEAKER_03 17:13

That's really good.

SPEAKER_01 17:14

So we're moving on to segment four now when obedience and discernment work together. So Luke 11 and 28, blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it. Amen. And that's the truth. So here's the key. Discernment without obedience leads to what?

SPEAKER_03 17:38

Stagnation.

SPEAKER_01 17:39

Stagnation, stagnant. Yeah, how many of you are in a place of stagnant stagnation in your personal walk, your personal life, yeah, or in your marriage. Yeah, you know, the way out of that is Jesus Christ. Yeah, you know, because He can bring life to anything.

SPEAKER_00 18:00

That's right. Even your parenting, parenting, any relationship, any relationship, yeah. Amen. Being that coworker at work that maybe doesn't want to do more than what they're called, or yeah, maybe they don't want to talk to anybody because they like working alone. You know, you have to look at it from all angles.

SPEAKER_01 18:20

All angles, all angles, yeah. Helping you to be that whole person, person that you need to be in your life and everything because God calls us to be what? Bold bold and to be our best selves in every aspect of what we do, and be not just something, yeah, and be his light, be the represent representation of Christ. Amen.

SPEAKER_00 18:41

Right?

SPEAKER_01 18:41

That's beautiful, sure.

SPEAKER_00 18:43

So also obedience without discernment can lead to mistakes or misdirection, right? So if we're not obedient, if God says, go do this, and we don't do it. Because we've I know I've been there and I know Eric has been there, right? Where God says, Go do this, and God is going to continue to keep dealing with you until you deal with that thing, right? Or that person or that act that you're supposed to be doing. So just remember obedience without discernment can lead to mistakes or misdirection. And if you don't understand, seek God on it, like seek seek his face on that because that is so important, and you don't want to be out of alignment in your walk with Christ.

SPEAKER_01 19:34

Yes, and you want to make sure you're doing the things that he asks you to do.

SPEAKER_00 19:37

That's right.

SPEAKER_01 19:38

You know, I'll never forget a long time ago, I had a friend that was dealing with a situation, and God had told me multiple times to go and tell him something very specific. And I was kind of like, why, God, do you want me to go and tell this man this, God? He literally was keeping me up at night until I walked through and did what he asked me to do.

SPEAKER_00 20:07

So it took but also too, a person you didn't really um connect with very much, right?

SPEAKER_01 20:15

Yeah, right. Yeah, he was a he yeah, he was a co-worker. Yeah, and we knew each other, but we weren't like we were real tight, you know what I'm saying? But we knew each other because we worked together a long time.

SPEAKER_00 20:26

So I I just say that I interject that um per um spectr for the viewers and the listeners. The only reason is because God can use you for people that you may not even encounter or work with on a daily basis, right? You could just be a random person, or it could be that person that maybe you don't have a connection with. So that's really good. Don't feel like God is just only going to use you for the people in your life. God is gonna use you to touch many. You know what I'm saying? To reach out to many different people and different people that may not even look like you. Amen. You know, you never know. You could be super wealthy and they could be poor, that's right, or they could be old, old and you're young. So don't put anything past God of what He has for you and what and who He's gonna align you up with. Yeah, because we've had many situations, but go ahead back to your story.

SPEAKER_01 21:21

So finally, you know, after about three or four days, I walked in the obedience that God wanted me to do, and I went to this person and told them exactly what God had told me to tell him. Yeah, and he looked at me and he was like, How do you know this? Because he was getting ready to make a really bad mistake that day.

SPEAKER_00 21:44

Wow.

SPEAKER_01 21:45

And I was like, Man, this is what God told me. You know, I don't talk to you about stuff like this, but God has been messing with me all week to come and tell you this. So I'm coming to you and I'm gonna tell you this because God told me to tell. You. So I told him, and it kept him from making a really, really bad mistake that he was about to walk in and destroy his whole family.

SPEAKER_00 22:12

So that's awesome. Look at God.

SPEAKER_01 22:14

I thank God. You know, I don't know why God used me in that moment, but because you were his vessel. That was the purpose. Yeah. In that moment.

SPEAKER_00 22:22

You were just being obedient. God knew that you would be that vessel that could be obedient, right? And so wow, that's awesome.

SPEAKER_01 22:31

Yeah. And that's an example of obedience and discernment working together. Working together. In alignment, you know. And when you do that, peace comes. You know what I mean?

SPEAKER_00 22:43

That's so good. So you guys definitely listen to that, you know, and hear that because I know God talks to you guys as well. You know what I'm saying? God talks to us all. He loves us. We are his children, his sons and daughters. And so make sure, you know, some people feel like, oh, I have to seek God through this. I have to seek God through that. And um I'm gonna share something too, because I think it could be very freeing for many of you. Um, then me and my husband were talking about this earlier this week, and I just thank God for his deliverance. Um, I ever since a very young age, I've always been like always in horoscopes. Always. I'm a Gemini, and I've always just been like, man, you know, I'm a Gemini, and my birthday's in June, and blah blah blah, right? And so every single day, probably for the past, well, 26 years of our marriage, I have been 27. 27. I was trying to think of like how long I've been actually like in horoscopes, not discrediting our marriage, my love. He beyond them numbers, I love it. But um, but in the realness, like just recently, I would say probably about two months ago, probably about two months ago, you guys. I mean, it's April, it's like February, and I was seeking God. We have been like in our devotions every single day, and just really deeply seeking God this year. Like, God has really just transformed us individually and together. And the beautifulness is, and this is has to go with obedience because God told me, stop looking up your horoscope every single day. And I was like being super stubborn, like, I want to live, I want to, this is my this is my horoscope, this is the thing I have, right? What I didn't realize is it was an addiction, right? I had an addiction to every day reading my horoscope. And and I would also not only in the morning, first thing, I mean, I wasn't even, I would always say, Thank you, Lord, for waking me up, but then the second thing would be read my horoscope, and then I would read my word, maybe, right? And so it wasn't consistent, and you know, when things aren't going your way in life, or things aren't um shaping out the way you thought it was supposed to be or intended for, it's because of disobedience. And so for 26 years, I was being disobedient every single day of my life. I was waking up, boom, reading that horoscope. Okay, what's it gonna be today? Okay, I'm gonna have a great day at work and I'm gonna flourish and I'm gonna shine, and my um career will be thriving, right? And so I was just living off that, right? But when God has a promise for you of your life, He will free you, He will especially when you uh really understand it. So I hope you guys hear me today when I'm saying I am set free from the addiction of my horoscope reading, because I haven't read that thing, and that was holding me back, that was a a thorn in my side that was keeping me for what God has for me. Amen. So I say this that I am just blessed beyond measure because God is good, and and if you're going through something like that where you feel like every single day I have to pick up alcohol, or I need to take CBD, or I need to do drugs, or I need to be on social media, and I get so you know stuck inside of it, that's an addiction. When something takes over you first and you can't and it becomes a norm, you hear me? When it becomes a normal thing that you're doing every single day, every single day, but it doesn't represent God. I had to really think about that. And that's what my husband I said, wow, I said, babe, and especially when I think when I was doing it, he would talk to me in the morning and be like, What are you doing? Oh nothing. It was, you know what I'm saying? So it's so important. I was doing that in secret. You hear what I'm saying? You may not look at it as anything big, but that was a huge impact over my life that I didn't even realize it was a stronghold, I'll put it that way. It was definitely a stronghold that was over my life, and I had to give that to God a couple months ago and say, God, I give this to you, amen, because I need my life every day to be guided by you, not by what somebody in the world or somebody written or did a chat GPT just to tell me something about me. God speaks into me every single day, and ever since I have not, you know, took the app off my phone and took off, you know, that search off my history, like it was just so freeing. So just know. I mean, I'm human just like you, just because I'm on this podcast doesn't make me any better or um anything like that. But I wanted to share that was in my heart to share. I wasn't even gonna talk about that, but that's how God works as somebody needed to hear that today of being set free of a stronghold.

SPEAKER_01 28:26

Amen. And that is so real, baby. And I appreciate you sharing that because yeah, being real is what we're all about in this podcast. That's right. And when she was saying that, the scripture from Exodus 34 and 14 came to me and it says, For you shall worship no other God, for the Lord whose name is jealous, is a jealous God.

SPEAKER_00 28:49

Jealous God.

SPEAKER_01 28:53

God is a jealous God, and wow, and and and we don't realize that you know, different things, horoscopes, um, it can be um your your music, it can be your sports you love. Yes, we we put nothing above God, we should never put anything in front of him, even your spouse.

SPEAKER_03 29:13

Thank you, Jesus.

SPEAKER_01 29:14

You know, there's a lot of things that can turn into false gods in your life, and we don't realize how much that can do to us, what it can bound you with in your life and in your home. You know, that makes me think of hat when God told me to free my home of I used to collect these African statues, and I love African art, but these were some African arts of some African deities, you know what I'm saying? And you know, when I went through a time in my life doubting Christianity, I used to put some faith in this stuff, right? Yeah, um, the orishas is what they were called, and I had bought these statues, and God told me to remove those statues from my home.

SPEAKER_02 30:03

Thank you, Jesus.

SPEAKER_01 30:04

And I had to be obedient in that, and even though they were expensive, they God told me to put them in a bag and throw them in the garbage. And I did that, you know, and and I tell you, when we did that, our house felt different. You know what I'm saying? The attitude of the home changed because even though I was not even focused on that stuff no more, that stronghold, that spirit was still in my home. Even though it was in a cabinet that nobody even paid attention to, it was in your house. You can have the enemy in your home sometime and you don't even realize it. So you have to go through and do your spiritual cleaning through your house. We anoint our house. Yes. You know what I'm saying? We pray over things. Um, it's just important you pray over the people when they come and go out your house. When people come into our house, man, we be having some anointing oil in our hand. You know, you always touch them in Jesus' name because you never know what people are coming into your house wet, what spirit they're bringing into your house. So obedience, listen to God, always protect yourself. And when he's why I wouldn't say call first before you come.

SPEAKER_00 31:23

So I can get my oil ready. I'll just play. I'll just play. No.

SPEAKER_01 31:28

Hey, when God wants you to be obedient, be obedient. Listen.

SPEAKER_00 31:33

That's right.

SPEAKER_01 31:33

Amen.

SPEAKER_00 31:34

Okay. No, it's so good.

SPEAKER_01 31:37

So we're moving on to our next segment, real life application. Yes. And uh James 1 and 5 is if any of you lack wisdom, you should ask God who gives generously to all. Thank God for the wisdom you give us every day, Lord. James 1 and 5. Amen. Um, let's make this practical. Say a couple is facing a major decision, um, moving, finances, or even a career change. You know, you just we need to put God in all these practical decisions.

SPEAKER_00 32:14

Yeah, you have to.

SPEAKER_01 32:15

No matter how small it is, how big it is, yeah, God needs to be a part of that.

SPEAKER_00 32:22

Yes, amen. And discernment will say, pray, seek God and be still, get clarity, and obedience will say, once God reveals the direction, trust Him and move.

SPEAKER_01 32:37

Yes, even if it's uncomfortable, even if it requires sacrifice. And sometimes decisions were it requires sacrifice, yes, causes you this lose something that you may think is valuable, but you don't realize the reward that you're gonna get from your obedience.

SPEAKER_00 32:57

And that makes me think about what we talked about in the beginning was God's sacrifice. You think about him carrying the cross and getting beat and blood just falling off of his body, and that was uncomfortable. I know that was, and that was very sacrificial, but at the end, he it didn't even look like he went through anything, he rose again, he rose again, and he did that for each and every one of us. So just when things get tough, when things get hard in your marriage, in your conversations, you feel uncomfortable, you feel like you have to sacrifice things, hey, just know through those things and those trials, ups and downs, there will be a rise, there will be a uplifting um ending because you sacrificed, right? And you prayed and you worshiped and you sought you sought God through that, and you were being still listening to his voice. And when you have those things that come to you from God and God alone, shoot, you better be ready. Just you know, you we have to go through some things to feel that shift. So remember that to let him shift you. That's right, because obedience often stretches you, but it always positions you for growth.

SPEAKER_01 34:17

That's huge. Stretching is really important. You have to allow God to stretch you because you can't grow unless you're stretched, and only God can properly position you.

SPEAKER_00 34:29

Amen.

SPEAKER_01 34:30

That's why listening to God is so important. Amen.

SPEAKER_00 34:34

So good.

SPEAKER_01 34:35

So 1 Corinthians 14 and 33. For God is not a God of confusion, but a God of peace. Amen. Ephesians 5 and 21. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. And these scriptures are all about honoring God, honoring one another. God wants us to be at peace with each other, not in confusion.

SPEAKER_03 35:00

That's right.

SPEAKER_01 35:00

You know, so we can be honest, those things aren't always easy, right? It's kind of hard sometimes, you know. But I thank God for his grace and mercy that we have enough of him in us to be able to walk through those difficult moments, right, baby?

SPEAKER_00 35:27

That's right. And um, not at all. Some challenges couples face, right? Is one spouse hearing from God differently other than the other. Um, fear holding you back from obedience, right? Those and confusing emotions with God's voice. And God's voice should be a quiet, gentle voice.

SPEAKER_01 35:53

A quiet, gentle voice.

SPEAKER_00 35:55

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 35:56

And and always, one thing I will say, if God tells one spouse one thing, He is gonna tell the other spouse the same thing.

SPEAKER_00 36:05

That's right.

SPEAKER_01 36:05

It may not come in the same day. That's true, it may not come in the same week of understanding because sometimes we can be discerning things with our own voice or our own ears and not God and think we're hearing from God and think like this is what God told me to do. But in reality, you have to really check your heart. Me and Shara's have learned that, like she just said, God's voice is a quiet, still voice. And for you to hear that voice, you have to get into a place of total quietness, and you have to seek God. And sometimes you have to sit there and say, God, I'm here and I'm listening for what you have for me. That's something that Sharius and I put in our rotation, our daily walk and our daily um practice with God. Yeah, because we we we we both want to seek God deeper. We both are looking for a deeper relationship with Him. And the only way to do that is for us to do that as individuals and to do that as a couple, yeah. So, and you have to be real serious about that. You know, open your heart, God, I open up my heart to you. Yeah, and I I I want to hear from you. What do you have from me, God? Share it with me, God. I only you, God, can direct my path. You know, that has to be your posture with God. Amen. And like I said, unity in prayer is so important. And the more we pray together, yes, the more unity we will have.

SPEAKER_00 37:49

That's right. And also, you know, giving each other grace during the process. Um, you're not always going to get it perfect, but God honors your pursuit every time.

SPEAKER_01 38:02

Amen. Amen. And we want to give you some encouragement, you know, here. Um, Psalms 37 and 5. Commit your way to the Lord, trust in him, and he will act. Yeah, hear that. If you're listening today and you feel stuck, maybe you're unsure what God is saying.

SPEAKER_00 38:26

Start with this slow down, pray together, invite God into the conversation.

SPEAKER_01 38:35

Amen. And if you already know what God is asking of you, what should you guys do?

SPEAKER_00 38:43

Take the step of obedience, even if it's small, even if it's uncomfortable.

SPEAKER_01 38:49

Amen. Amen. Because every step of obedience strengthens your faith and your marriage.

SPEAKER_00 38:55

Amen. So stay encouraged, you know, because so, like Eric said, sometimes, you know, obedience can come through um or God's, you know, the what he's trying to tell you to do. Eric might know a week more before I'm supposed to know. Because sometimes we're not prepared, we're not ready, right? And God is still dealing with us individually. So, but it will line up.

SPEAKER_01 39:22

It always does.

SPEAKER_00 39:23

It always does. It always does, especially if you're seeking and honoring God and everything you do. He will He will speak to you every day just as we are speaking to you right now. So um know that. Don't don't feel like you have to be at a different platform or have a certain title that only God can talk to those people. Do not separate yourself from those people, right? Like we are all God's sons and daughters, just like I said before, and He loves us all.

SPEAKER_01 39:54

Amen. Amen. And I tell you, I'm looking forward because you know, it's something that Shari and I have been praying for for a long time. And I'm not gonna say what it is right now, but we are trusting God and we are in unity on this. You know, in the past we have been, we were kind of in different spaces, but God had to align us and work with us to get our attitudes right so that we can be in alignment about this thing that He is going to do for us. So you guys keep us in prayer and just know that God is gonna move for us in a really big way that we're really excited about. So I just thank God in Jesus' name for what's coming for the Nicholson family here. Amen. So, one of our favorite things, we want to leave you with some homework and some takeaways, right?

SPEAKER_03 40:47

Right.

SPEAKER_01 40:48

Um, so here's the homework here: some practical things that you can take with you in the week.

SPEAKER_00 40:54

All right. So, number one, pray together daily, even if it's short. God cover my husband, God cover my family. Jesus' name. Amen. Keep it pushing, right? Whatever that looks like for you. I know my prayer doesn't look like that, but whatever it looks like for you, just invite God into your marriage intentionally and consistently.

SPEAKER_01 41:15

That's right, okay, and do it often throughout the day, right?

SPEAKER_00 41:18

That's right, throughout the day. I love it. Um, number two, identify one area of obedience. Ask God, where are you calling me to grow? Amen. Then take one step this week into it. Yeah. Number three, practice discernment together as a couple, as a family, right? Before making any decision, big or small, pause and seek God first. Amen. Okay. And then number four, have a heart check conversation. Amen. Sit down together and ask, are we aligned spiritually? Are we listening to God individually and together? That is so important, you guys, to make sure you are asking. I don't think a lot of people ask their spouses that, you know what I mean? Um, that's something I think we've always done. We've done it um maritally, but not always spiritually, yeah. Right. And so we have really been doing that recently. And um, because I might be going through something and I'm just praying about it, right? Or Eric could be going through something, but then if we're in line, the discernment comes in, right? The obedience comes in. Maybe God's saying, Charles, don't say anything. You just continue to pray for your husband.

SPEAKER_01 42:39

Amen.

SPEAKER_00 42:40

You continue just to be obedient and cover him and protect him, right?

SPEAKER_01 42:44

That's right.

SPEAKER_00 42:45

Um, because he does it for me every single day with something we do religiously is pray for each other and our family. That's right. Um, because that is so important.

SPEAKER_01 42:56

Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen, Charis. And here are some key takeaways that we want you to take away from what you heard today. So the first one, discernment helps you hear God clearly. Amen. Obedience helps you follow Him faithfully. Yes. Unity in marriage comes from being in align with God first. Small steps of obedience lead to big transformation over time.

SPEAKER_00 43:26

Amen. That's really good. And when you commit to both obedience and discernment, you're not just building a stronger marriage, you're building a God-centered foundation that lasts forever.

SPEAKER_01 43:40

Amen. That's really good. So we're gonna do a closing prayer here in Jesus' name. Father God, we thank you for this time together. We thank you for what you are doing in marriages right now. Yes, God. Lord, we ask that you will continue to guide each couple in obedience and discernment.

SPEAKER_02 43:59

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 44:00

Give them peace in their decisions, unity in their hearts, and strengthen, and strength, sorry, Lord, to follow your will even when it's difficult. Amen, God. Bless their homes, their communication, and their connection with you. Let your grace, God, remain the anchor in their marriage. In Jesus' holy name we pray. Amen. And we can't end this podcast without doing one of the most important things, and that's a prayer of salvation. If you don't know Jesus Christ, and this weekend being Resurrection Weekend, what he died for, that free gift of salvation, we have to offer that gift to you.

SPEAKER_00 44:47

So if um just repeat this prayer from your heart.

SPEAKER_01 44:55

Amen.

SPEAKER_00 44:55

Okay? So just say, Lord Jesus, I come to you today and I acknowledge that I am a sinner in need of your grace. I believe that you died for my sins and rose again so I could have life. I repent of my sins and turn away from old ways. Come into my heart, be my Lord and Savior. Teach me to follow you, to walk in obedience, and to hear your voice. From this day forward, I give you my life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

SPEAKER_01 45:27

Amen, amen. If you prayed that prayer, we celebrate with you eternal life in Jesus Christ. That's the best decision that you could have ever made. And we always want to offer to you if you prayed that prayer and you took that step and you want help with the next steps, how to stay aligned with God, please reach out to Shara and I. We are more than happy to be prayer partners with you. That's right. And mentors to mentor you through this important step that you've made today.

SPEAKER_03 46:02

Amen.

SPEAKER_01 46:03

Amen. And, you know, we appreciate you today.

SPEAKER_00 46:09

Yeah. Definitely.

SPEAKER_01 46:11

We we're just glad that God called us to do this because it brings us so much joy. And it not only speaks to others, it really speaks to us and helps us in our marriage.

SPEAKER_00 46:24

Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 46:25

And we thank God for that in Jesus' name. So we want to leave you with thank you for joining us on Anchored in Grace.

SPEAKER_00 46:34

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 46:34

Where strengthened, hope is restored, and lives are rooted in Christ.

SPEAKER_00 46:41

Until next time, stay anchored and remember the one who anchors you in grace is always holding you in his love and his peace.

SPEAKER_01 46:51

And we thank you, and God bless you, and happy resurrection weekend.

SPEAKER_00 46:57

Yes, happy.

SPEAKER_01 46:58

May your families and everything you do be blessed.

SPEAKER_00 47:02

That's right. Walk in it.

SPEAKER_01 47:04

Amen.

SPEAKER_00 47:05

Have a blessed week.

SPEAKER_02 47:06

We love you guys.